In most cultures, people are thought to worry about everything. It is something passed along from generation to generation and it is like a part of our being. Not that our ancestors wanted us to worry, they were the ones worrying about things, and following generations just learned it from them and followed their habit of worrying.
With the level of stress growing as a product of the everchanging organism called civilization, together with the help of the scaremongering media, the level of worry, fear and anxiety kept growing and started to clasp our throats, making breathing hard at times.
Does worrying about something changes the result though? In a negative way, if any, as it is a negative feeling itself. It makes you generate negative vibrations, that are magnetically attracting negative outcomes.
Remember this; “Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.” When you worry, you are not living in the now, you are living in your fear and anxiety.
Then how will you fight with these feelings? The answer is simple; when you feel the worry, fear, and/or anxiety about anything, try to switch your thoughts to something positive, or try to focus on your breathing and take deep breaths, or better yet; meditate. Just get rid of that anxious feeling on your chest. Do not let it dictate your state of mind for that moment, or for that day. Just think positive, and know that everything will be okay, everything is okay.
And also remember; I love you, and I am here for you. Always.
Great article Ipek. I love your statement “Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.” This is something I still struggle with, but with articles like yours, I am getting better. Thank you.
I am so happy to hear that my article resonates with you, Frank. We are not bionic and cannot remove all our negative feelings and thoughts all the time. And it’s okay to be a human. As long as we can be aware of the thoughts when they start creeping in and name it as worry, fear, etc. We can stop them from festering further. Even if at times we cannot do that, we can still accept that we are going through that feeling and it will go away soon. I hope this additional note helps you further 😉
I just rewatched “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” which exists against all odds under the mantra “Everything will be all right in the end so if it is not all right, it is not yet the end.” While it is just a movie, it is a very reassuring mantra.
Thank you for providing fodder for such interesting a discussion. I love the comments as much as the post and their focus on being aware of how and what we are thinking. Like all other muscles it needs to be practiced to stay strong.
Sometimes, I too like to read the astonishingly good, value-adding, thought-provoking comments even more than the post itself, Charlotte. What a lovely movie, you’ve watched. An epic example of wisdom, life experiences and great friendships. And that mantra is simply heartwarming. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment, my friend.
On more than one occasion I have become convinced that to reduce everyday worries it is necessary to change one’s way of thinking and look at events from a different perspective. In these cases, in fact, it is important to abandon the belief that the worry has a positive purpose. This is not always the case. When we worry, we actually waste a lot of our time thinking. When we realize that worrying is a mental trap, we gradually manage to deactivate negative thoughts and regain control of our mind.
This does not mean that there are no positive concerns that motivate us to act and solve a problem. Of course yes. The problem occurs when they become recurrent and uncontrollable and instead of stimulating us, they paralyze us.
Some strategies can be used. For example, meditation is among the practices that helps to disconnect from internal and external noise, allowing us to change perspective and is also a way to observe how our mind works and, consequently, understand the most rigid and negative thought patterns.
Very well said, Aldo. Worrying, especially for the things that we have little control over, is a waste of our time which we could use more creatively. And meditation is the answer to so many things including dealing with worrying thoughts. Thank you for this very valuable comment.
Ipek – I learned a long time ago to reduce my stress and worry with a simple exercise. I ask myself, “What can I do right now to improve this situation?”. If I come up with an answer, I start acting which stops worry because you are taking action. If the answer is ,”There is nothing I can do right now because this situation is not in my realm of control,” then I can let it go because I am never going to change the situation. Once the mind knows you can or cannot control the situation, worry is no longer a problem. Thanks for sharing this piece with us.
A wonderful way of approaching worrying thoughts, Len. Thank you for sharing. Most of the things we worry about don’t even materialize and when we turn back and think about it, find out that worrying was unnecessary anyway. Therefore, your way of handling worry is very proactive.
Thank you for the reminder Ipek. I think sometimes we need to practice this because worrying can become a habit.
Yes, it could certainly become a bad habit, John. When I realize that I started worrying about something, I immediately try and remove that thought from my mind, because I know that what I focus grows. I turn my gaze to my beautiful plant or my cute dog or anything that will distract me from my dark thoughts. And before I know it, I start feeling better. When we pay attention to our thoughts, we learn navigating them better. Thank you for your comment.
I so agree with you Ipek. “Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace” … and also when we worry, we keep on writing on the story we don’t want, as we attract and see, more things to worry about. Thank you for sharing this piece with the world. May we find teachers, parents and grandparents to be inspired.
The reason for that is, Eyra, because when we think negative anything, we lower our vibration level and we become a magnet for the thoughts and feelings that are at the same vibration level, but as soon as we raise our vibration to a level where positive thoughts are, then we start attracting more of that. It takes time to be a master of mind bending, but it’s worth working and trying. Thank you for your great feedback, my friend.
That’s exactly what I meant! However the focus often goes to the word “attracting”, which of course is there, but I also see more and more, that mostly it is the glasses we are wearing. When we are thinking about buying a Prius, we all of a sudden see Priusses everywhere. When we wear the glasses “Worry”, we see more things to worry about. That’s why I love the glasses “Love” and “Joy” so much. Not only do I as you say raise my vibes, and attract more love and joy, but also I SEE more examples of love and joy, like in the Prius example. Great topic my friend!
Yes, Eyra, you got it right. You know very well how to be a manifestor. Manifest away and create the best life for yourself.